Michael Sweet of legendary hard rockers Stryper comments on U2‘s decision to team with Apple to put the Irish rock band’s new album, “Songs Of Innocence”, on every single iTunes account in the world for free regardless of whether it was wanted or not.
Writing on his Facebook page, Sweet said:
‘Although the music world seems to be out of desperation trying to find new ways to “market and promote” the art, unfortunately giving it away for free (U2 was paid 100 million dollars by Apple so I guess it really wasn’t entirely free) to the consumer does raise some concerns in my mind and I’m sure with many other artists as well.’
‘First – Why would anyone want to continue buying music when the trend is to receive it for free in their inbox? I think it does devalue music, especially the music of all the little fish in this enormous pond.’
‘Second – It seems to me that the door is slowly closing and sealing for most other bands to have the same opportunities. Only a select few will see the light of these astronomical pay days and the rest will have to work even harder, only to see less fruit from their labor.’
‘I’ve never done this for the money. It was (and still is) simply for the love of music. Music has more value to me than I could ever express. Although what seems to be a “good deed” to some (that may have even been carried out with relatively good intentions by others) is still a little disheartening to those who need to clock in earlier and clock out later than ever before just to try to pay for picks, sticks and stings. I hope this all works out, for the love of music…….
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Michael Sweet & George Lynch recently released a lyric video for ‘September’ — the new band featuring guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet of legendary hard rockers Stryper, legendary guitarist George Lynch (T&N, Dokken, Lynch Mob), bassist James Lomenzo (Megadeth, White Lion, Black Label Society) and drummer Brian Tichy (S.U.N., Whitesnake) — can be seen here. The track, a tribute to the victims of the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, will be included on Sweet/Lynch‘s debut album, which will be released in early 2015 via Frontiers Records.
Stryper will release a concert CD/DVD combination called “Live At The Whisky” in Europe on September 19th. via Frontiers & North America on September 23rd.
Check our album review for “Live At The Whisky” here.
Upcoming Shows:
SEPTEMBER 27, 2014 AVA AMPHITHEATER, TUCSON, AZ, UNITED STATES (w/Sebastian Bach & Great White)
OCTOBER 4, 2014 B.B. KING, NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES
OCTOBER 5, 2014 TUPELO MUSIC HALL, LONDONDERRY, NH, UNITED STATES (FULL BAND ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE)
OCTOBER 10 – 12, 2014 RALEIGH, NC, UNITED STATES (2ND ANNUAL STRYPER FAN EXCURSION)
OCTOBER 10 – 12, 2014 RALEIGH, NC, UNITED STATES (2ND ANNUAL STRYPER FAN EXCURSION)
OCTOBER 10 – 12, 2014 RALEIGH, NC, UNITED STATES (2ND ANNUAL STRYPER FAN EXCURSION)
OCTOBER 11, 2014 LINCOLN THEATRE, RALEIGH, NC, UNITED STATES
OCTOBER 17, 2014 TAILGATER’S, BOLINGBROOK, IL, UNITED STATES (FULL BAND ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE)
OCTOBER 18, 2014 TAILGATER’S, BOLINGBROOK, IL, UNITED STATES (FULL BAND ELECTRIC PERFORMANCE)
APRIL 18 – APRIL 22, 2015 MONSTERS OF ROCK CRUISE, NASSAU, BAHAMAS, UNITED STATES
Video below “Live At The Whisky” (trailer)
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Stryper – “No More Hell to Pay” [Album Review]
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‘Stryper’ (More) Fan-Filmed Footage of ‘Bang Your Head’ Performance Posted Online [July 2014]}
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Stryper – “Live At The Whisky” [Album Review]